K-State vs. TCU: Game preview, TV info and score prediction for Big 12 title rematch

The Kansas State football team will look to turn an important victory over Texas Tech into a winning streak when it hosts TCU on Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Here’s everything you need to know before kickoff ...

Kansas State at Texas Tech game details

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium (Manhattan)

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita

The line: Kansas State by 6.5 with an O/U of 60.5

Game prediction

Much has been made about how Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman will decide to platoon quarterbacks Will Howard and Avery Johnson this week.

That makes sense. It is an important topic.

If the Wildcats deploy a good QB plan they will likely defeat TCU as a home favorite on Saturday. Howard threw seven interceptions in the first five games of the season and K-State started 3-2. The K-State offense didn’t commit a single turnover last week against Texas Tech and the Wildcats won big with Johnson rushing for a school record five touchdowns.

But what if an even bigger question exists at quarterback with the Horned Frogs?

TCU also asked a freshman QB to make big plays for it last week, and Josh Hoover responded by throwing for 439 yards and four touchdowns during a blowout victory over BYU.

That has to be worrisome for a K-State defense that ranks 13th in the Big 12 in passing yards allowed per game (265.5). What if the Horned Frogs were playing the wrong quarterback at the beginning of the season and they just found their next Max Duggan?

TCU is going to throw the ball a ton against K-State, and if Hoover can duplicate anything close to the numbers he produced last week then the Horned Frogs have a legitimate shot at pulling off an upset against the Wildcats.

But there is no guarantee that happens. Hoover is a freshman, after all, and he will be playing in a difficult road environment against K-State. Better and older quarterbacks have come to Manhattan and played poorly. If Hoover looks like a rookie and throws a few interceptions, then the Wildcats should be able to win comfortably no matter who leads their offense.

Sonny Dykes will figure out a few ways to contain Johnson after seeing what he did last week. The Horned Frogs are only allowing 121 rushing yards per game.

That may not matter, though. I trust K-State to score enough points at home to beat a young and unproven quarterback by a touchdown or more.

K-State 34, TCU 27

Last week’s prediction: Texas Tech 35, K-State 31 (Actual: K-State 38, Texas Tech 21)

Season record: 3-3.

Season record against the spread: 2-4.

Season record O/U: 4-2.